How to Help Our College Age Son with Depression and Addiction

Tue, Dec 22nd 2009

Our son came home from college over this past summer and, under our scrutiny, 'fessed up to having dropped out of all of his classes the 2nd half of his freshman year and summer classes. This was shocking to us and enormously disappointing since that meant that he had lied to us for almost a year. We understand now that it was from shame. He had been a top student, athlete and most likely to succeed. He told us that he had been suffering from severe depression as diagnosed by a local Psychiatrist and was seeing a psycotherapist weekly. We told him that that was great and that we'd see if he could maintain his standing at school for the fall quarter. He managed to get pretty good grades and is now home for winter break.

He expressed to us, while still at school, that one of the hardest things for him was to not drink or party with his friends. He lives in a fraternity house which seems to be a never ending party. Now, he comes home and we find that he is indeed drinking. Then, I found drugs in his bag (mushrooms).

Where do we go from here? Do we send him back to school? Help!

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